Scholars and attorneys will examine one of the fastest-growing fields of international dispute resolution at a Law School conference Feb. 27 in Caplin Pavilion.

Sponsored by the J.B. Moore Society of International Law, "International Arbitration: A Look Into the Future" will focus on issues created by the unprecedented expansion of international arbitration among companies, investors and sovereign states.

For example, Argentina faces dozens of investment arbitrations in the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes due to regulatory actions taken in the wake of its economic collapse. The arbitration with Russian energy conglomerate Yukos has generated multiple claims totaling in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

"The rapid expansion of international arbitration poses new challenges, " said symposium organizer Travis Mock. "Arbitration began as a fast, simple, and confidential alternative to traditional litigation. As commercial arbitration becomes mainstream, there is a debate as to when arbitration is appropriate and when access to litigation should be guaranteed. In addition, sovereign states are increasingly finding their regulatory sovereignty circumscribed by foreign investors' arbitration claims.Â International arbitration is changing the way businesses, investors and sovereign states behave."

The J.B. Moore Society of International Law, founded in 1951, is the oldest student organization of its kind in North America. The society sponsors speaker programs, an annual symposium and international moot court teams.